So, without getting all sentimental about the many years I’ve spent learning, teaching, coaching, advising, supervising etc. at this place, it is, finally, moving on day. I’ve been reading and rereading these the last few days:
“There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” –Anais Nin
“It doesn’t work to leap a twenty-foot chasm in two ten-foot jumps.” –American Proverb
“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” –Charles DuBois
Here we go…
Will, good fortune on your new path in life. Despite the trepidation now you will be a stronger and wiser person for having made the move and intimidated your comfort zone. When my husband and I left Australia 9 years ago for international teaching we gave up permanent long-term positions in a good private school for the unknown quantity of Africa. Since then, Kuwait and now Bangladesh have sharpened our senses and hightened our sense of global appreciation. Yes, we do not have a nearly-completed mortgage or a very lucrative retirement plan but we have unforgetable life experiences that would not have happened if we had not taken that first intrepid step away from the norm.
Good luck with your new venture! And thanks for your regular blog postings and insights. I see you now have 2,640 subscribers to your blog…..you must be onto something good already 😉
The very greatest of luck to you Will. I look forward to seeing you around, and continuing to learn from your unique insihts and the masterful way of teaching us all!
— dave —
I just finished reading your marvelous book, and am very much inspired. By bringing your enthusiasm (which, in addition to your knowledge, is the most powerful thing that comes through the pages of your book) to others, you will help introduce more people to the wonders that are possible. Good luck!
Will, best of luck in your new endeavors. I must admit, as an educator who remains in the trenches, I feel slightly abandoned when leaders like you decide to leave the system (the educational system). I have always enjoyed reading what you have to say from your perspective as an educator trying to get colleagues to embrace new technologies and approaches, which is very much what I am trying to do. I guess I’m being selfish to feel abandoned, sorry.
On a more positive note, I hope that your new position, or lack of a position, will allow you to affect a larger population of educators. Thanks for your leadership. I’ll be watching to see where you head next!
PS: I had lunch with you at the My Classroom to Yours Conference at Stockton College 2 years ago; you were presenting on blogging (surprise!) and I had little idea what blogging was. Now, I’m blogging with my classes and outside of class, as well.
Thanks again. Great luck!
Brian
I was going to say good luck, but luck has nothing to do with it. You’re good at what you do. Now you can do more of it on your own terms.
Thanks for continuing to share your journey with us in this space.
Best wishes,
Darren
“Living at risk is jumping off the cliff and building your wings on the way down.”
— Ray Bradbury
“The dangers of life are infinite, and among them is safety.”
— Goethe
The one thing about K-12 education is that it is safe. But safe in a way that truly limits you.
Congrats on taking your first steps in your new life… and in the words of an adaptive expert—
“Let’s make a dent in the universe.”
— Steve Jobs
Best wishes, mate. So, you’ll be free to come down under in the near future, hey?
Best wishes Will!
Will – all the best. I’m excited for the opportunities you have before you.
It was great meeting you in LA…if your passion for the field is any indication, you’ll never regret this decision to move on.
Take care
George
With every new step you take, may you be supported by friends, members of your family, ex-colleagues, and faithful readers of your blogs. You have so often given such sound and insightful advice; it might be interesting for you to turn the tables during your future venture.
Thanks to everyone for the good wishes. They are much appreciated. I feel so fortunate to be a part of this community.
Will,
Good luck! They say “luck is when preparation meets opportunity,” or something like that. Clearly, you are prepared, and even more clearly, the opportunity in front of you is enormous. I think you’ll have plenty of luck!
As someone who also “walked away” to pursue a dream (in my case, teaching as a second career), I predict your journey will reap rewards beyond your wildest imagination.
Rock on!
-kj-
Merci pour ce partage et bon succès!
Le mot de Cambronne!
All the best to a great educator!
Jacques
Hi Will –
To think I had never heard of you until last fall is shocking. I did a google search on tablets and found your name and blog! I have never read a blog on a regular basis and didn’t understand all the hype on blogging, your blog and book made it all make sense. Yes, I bought your book for myself and several copies for my library. When I introduce blogging to teachers I bring them to your blog! We all joke that we are now checking in regularly for words of wisdom. I still find it amazing that we ended up presenting at the MassCue Technology Conference in March. This was my moment of “the world is flatâ€. You have inspired us to look beyond the safety of our classrooms. I wish you all the best on your new endeavors!